Wednesday, December 31, 2008

An often asked question as people return to work after the holidays is “did you do anything interesting?” There will be plenty of family, travel and religious stories to tell.

My answer – “”I talked to Sammy.” I’ve seen this guy walking the beach path for the last 3 or 4 years as I do my Sunday long run. He is easily noticeable. He walks with a serious limp, has one arm in a painful looking cast, has many serious scars and talks funny. This guy always has a short buzz cut, sun glasses and a big smile. Each Sunday I say to myself as I run by, I should stop and talk to that guy sometime.

Last weekend I did and as often happens when you put in the extra effort, it was inspiring. Sammy is a self described ex-partying surfer who was drunk and high one night around 2:00 AM and got hit by a car going 55 MPH while crossing Pacific Coast Highway. Sammy said he was told he would die, then he would lose his arm, then that he would not be able to walk and then that he would not be able to talk, …. On and on. He told me in the middle of the drama that he decided it was all about “tude.” (attitude for those that don’t know). Sammy said he learned that the only thing he had complete control over was his attitude. Sammy now coaches and mentors (Waves of Motivation)others on being positive. Here I was out for a run and talking to a guy who could barely walk or talk and he is telling me about “owning” your positive outlook on life.

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